In spite of being one of the toughest fast, Karwa Chauth is always looked forward and is welcomed by married woman with great fervor. One of the reason behind this joy and happiness is the golden chance of receiving expensive and beautiful gifts from their husbands and relatives. As this festival is considered very important for married women, all the symbols that reflects the marriage status of a woman is in high demand such as jewelery, bangles, henna, sarees, lehnga choli and many other traditional gifts.
Gifts given on the Karwa Chauth day is an expression of love between man and wife. Karwa Chauth is particularly special for a newly-wed woman who gets decked up in her bridal finery. The most common gifts given on this day range from new clothes, sweets, jewelery to anything that can make a married woman feel happy and satisfied. During this festive occasion, jewelers and apparel makers get into the act, with special collections and designs at every price point imaginable. Thus, women observing a fast for the well-being of their husbands are rewarded with gifts by their husbands, mothers-in-law and other relatives.
Sargi and Baya are the two most important gifting items, as without them the festival of Karwa Chauth is incomplete. These gift items are very traditional and are supposed to bring good luck in the lives of the married couple. It is Mother-in-laws who gift ‘sargi’ for their daughter-in-laws. This ‘sargi’ is a collection of sumptuous food consists of various types of sweetmeats and sometime clothes.
‘Sargi’ is given to the married woman so that she can eat them before sunrise, as the fast starts before sunrise and ends only after worshiping the moon at night. It is a tough fast, as the women do not take any food or water.Baya
In the afternoon, mothers of newly wed girls gift ‘Baya’ to the parents of their son-in-law. This Baya contains few Mathris, Almonds and some gifts. This gift pack should reach the girl’s house before evening. A small pooja to Gaura Ma or goddess Parvati is performed. Married women sit around Gaura ma and pray to her for the well being and long life of their husbands. A small pitcher or Karwa with some water is placed in the center. While the story is being narrated, ladies circulate their Baya thalis. Apart from traditional gifts, nowadays there is a norm of showering various designers clothes, bindis and jeweleries, specially to a newly wed woman.
Source: www.karwachauth.com
While visiting Rakesh’s village we stopped by his sister’s house for breakfast. As we walked toward the car to leave, The sister gave Rakesh a hanky, a coconut and a Rs 500 bill. Rakesh quickly gave the Rs 500 note back to his sister, said his goodbyes and we left. Once inside the car, of course I asked what had just transpired. The hanky and coconut are an offering a sister gives to her brother(s) in honor of Karwa Chauth. The money is given and received, but then always offered back to the sister as a sign of goodwill.
